Non-Immigration B Visa

      

        Finally, today I got the stamp in my passport for my one year Non-Immigrant B extension visa, the 5th time that I went back to Immigration Office Division 1 at the  Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King in Chaengwattana and, after 21 days since I filed the application for such. 

       It was actually my Thai colleague who facilitated the processing of the papers starting from the preparation of the requirements concerning the company documents up to dealing with the immigration officers. I just had to go with her as it is a part of the requirement. As I am the first and only foreigner employee of our company, it was the first time for them (my employer) to apply for papers needed to legalize my stay and working in Bangkok. However, on my part, it is my second employment here in Thailand but on a different type of organization, the first one in a government owned university. As it is not my first to apply for visas, I had taken some of the leads. It was really tough! The least in my expectation.

       With my first job in Bangkok as a government university lecturer, processing of visa including the work permit were not a problem. There was a delay in the application of my Non-B visa when I applied in the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila because there was no attached request letter from the president of the university to the Thai Consul in Manila. After that the succeeding applications and extensions plus the work permit were acquired smoothly. The applications were done by me alone, without the need to be accompanied by a Thai representative from the university.

     With the previous experience, I expected my recent application would be easy plus the thought that it is only an extension and I have my work permit. But it was not! Most of the paper requirements for the extension of Non-Immigrant B were the same as when applying for a new one except that a picture was taken of me working in the office and proof of my salary. I was thinking, because of my past work experience in one of the technology university in Bangkok and the fact that since it is an extension visa only, acquiring it would be easier. But it came to be, the applying of the Non-B Visa was easier than acquiring an extension visa.

       There are few things I had learned which I would like to share to the readers:

      1) application of visas are classified. The department that accepted and processed my documents are in business category perhaps of private companies only; 

        2) the minimum salary requirement for foreign nationals must be met and shown in the tax document as indicated below

• European Countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, and U.S.A. Baht 50,000/month.
• South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong Baht 45,000/month.
• Asian Countries, South America, Countries in Eastern Europe, Countries in Central America, Mexico, Turkey, Russia and South Africa: Baht 35,000/month.
• African Countries, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam Baht 25,000/month;

     3) the application of extension visa can be done one month before the expiration;

        4) if passport is a new copy, requests to transfer previous stamps from the old to the new one.

       One thing I realized though, it is true like what others say, the immigration policies change as often as they want to. So the saying goes "there is nothing permanent but change".

TEMCA 2011

     For three days I was in Pattaya for the TEMCA 2011. My company was one of the more or less 25 exhibitors who had a big space and spent quite a large amount of money to have a presentable booth that showcased and promoted the products each are selling or distributing.

     TEMCA is the acronym for Thai Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Association. Every year for 27 years, the association organizes exhibition and seminars which are supported by leading big companies, may it be internationally or locally owned. This year it was held on the 19-20th of August 2011 at Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), a facility managed and owned by the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel. There were a total of approximately 50 booths some of which have been built with style and height. To mention some of the exhibitors, first is our very own Magpie Blazetech Co., Ltd.; infront of our booth is Schneider Electric, behind is Draka Prysmian Group, then there is also the  Maxwell Group, Charoenchai Transformer Co., Ltd., QTC, Lekise, U-Group, Samsung, Panasonic/Sanyo, WIP Electric Co., Ltd., Maxwell Group, Tan and Sons Corporation Limited, Arrow Syndicate, Haco Electric Solutions, Fire Victor Co. Ltd, Imperial, Suntec, Compomax and Thai Wire.

      It was so interesting to go around looking at the booths as each have their own special designs and styles of  presentation. Each boot showcased the latest innovation and technology specifically in lighting, mechanical and electrical equipments, fire protection, electrical cables, safety devices and the likes. There I had known that Sanyo is presently owned by Panasonic though they still exist independently. I also have seen the ready made solar panel, the latest CCTV system offered by Panasonic, the telephone with video call, the multi-layered large cable wire and the latest styles of electric lighting. As an electrical engineer I was also updated with the latest trend in electrical lighting and accessories, The recommended type of fluorescent lamp now is T5 which is slimmer and longer than the previous T8. Also bulbs are the LED types which give more light but consume lesser energy. And by the way, the biggest organization that participated in the affair was the PEA (Provincial Electrical Authority) of Thailand. A lot of managers and employees of PEA coming from other provinces were present, wearing a white polo shirt with PEA Smart Grid Logo. I wanted to ask why it is called Smart Grid but I did not have the chance to talk to a competent English speaking PEA personnel.

      What made the affair more attractive and amusing were the presence of young sexy lady entertainers for which some acted as sales assistants. Some booths had games for the audiences with interesting prizes, guessing games, dance presentations and even a bartender exhibition show. One may ask what is the relevance of the bartender show, belly dancing of young ladies as well as rapping to the exhibition, that was also my question I had within myself. Charoenchai Transformers had even had a booth that looked like a bar and served non-alcoholic drinks for free. 

      I did not actually look much into the products distributed by QTC but what attracted the people most to their booth is that they had distributed forms for each to fill up then dropped in a drop box which has been drawn out later in the day. Wow! they gave big prices like an external hardisk drive and even an Ipad.  Some had their business cards distributed in the booths and they got in return freebies like bags, sample products and brochures.


     Exhibit shows like TEMCA benefits contractors, direct users and most specially product distributors. Marketing wise it is one good way of showcasing the business.